A/N: Hello all readers. Here's the third chapter of The Guardians BOOK I and I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing. Leave a vote or kudos if you liked the chapter and a review or comment to tell me what you think about it. Enjoy the story! Merry Christmas!
-TripleHomicide.
"Well?" Leo cocked his head to the side, bouncing on his feet. "What are you waiting for?"
Perseus narrowed his eyes in suspicion. He was about to speak when the rumble of the temple made him stop. He let out a sigh. "Where's this fire breathing giant?"
"Just a few metres away from the city gates," Leo said. He pivoted on his heel and began to move, motioning to Perseus and Piper to follow. "I'm surprised you missed him on your way here."
Perseus vaguely recalled spotting what he had thought to be distant mountains. Shaking his head, he turned to the Princess. He wanted to feel angry. He wanted to shout, but he couldn't bring himself to. He had made a much bigger mistake on his first day on a quest; she was new to this whole thing, he couldn't fault her.
She looked a bit miserable, and he guessed that she didn't fancy the fact that it would be her fault if the entire city was wiped out. Perseus reached out, holding her shoulder. He didn't know what overcame him but he squeezed, reassuringly, just as they got to the entrance of the temple.
He could see people and guards bustling around the city, trying to evacuate through the gates, hurriedly packing up their belongings. He had brought Piper here, so it would be as much his fault as hers if all these people died. He felt Piper relax under his hold and said, "I'll delay the fire breathing giant. Piper, find those war spirits and get them back here. Can you do that?" He was putting his faith in her; giving an important job to a newbie. If she messed it up…
She nodded fervently and Leo piped up, "We need to hurry though. They'll be headed for the mountains and if what my father said was correct, we have to stop them before they do."
Perseus pursed his lips. He didn't trust this elf-looking man but if he knew where the Makhai were…
Perseus could also see a faint golden aura around Leo and he guessed, quite correctly, that he was of godly descent. He drew his trusty xiphos, Anaklusmos, from his side and said, "Find the Makhai. Thirty minutes is all I can promise. But if you haven't after then, join me to hold off the giant and help the people escape the city."
Piper nodded. Perseus turned to leave but was hit with a sudden thought then. He turned to Piper, hands already moving to his side. "Do you have a weapon?"
Piper turned scarlet, then shook her head. Around them, the screams and the footsteps were getting nearer and louder. "I—" Leo cut Perseus off, drawing a dagger the size of Perseus' forearm. His eyes widened when he recognised it, then he swore. Where had a normal palace guard (who was also a demigod) gotten the dagger of Helen of Troy? Leo handed Katoptris to the Princess of Mycenae.
Perseus shot a glance at him, which said We'll talk after this. Leo nodded, then wrapped his hand around Piper's wrist. They raced down the steps and away from the temple, Piper clutching her new weapon like a lifeline.
Perseus shook his head to clear his thoughts. He adjusted his cloak around him, then gripped his sword more tightly in his hand. He was the son of Poseidon. A fire breathing giant would be no problem at all. With a grin stretching on his face, he dove into the crowd of Spartans.
Maybe the fire breathing giant would be the worthy opponent he had been waiting for, the one who could kill the Last Guardian of Greece and reunite him with his loved ones.
-X-
"Thanks for the knife," Piper panted as they ran. She glanced at the man racing at her side.
"Yeah, no problem," He managed. "My brother Beck gave it to me; He's the Palace Blacksmith."
Piper nodded at the unneeded information and clutched the weapon tighter. She could see wisps of the last war spirit disappearing down the street in a flurry of wind and fire. She urged her feet to move faster and raced down the street after the War Spirit.
Leo followed after her and they turned a curve just in time to see the war spirits taking off into the air. Leo and Piper skidded to a stop and she turned to the curly-haired man. "What now? How do we catch them?"
"Don't worry," Leo assured. "I knew this was going to happen, and my dad constructed these vial things which can suck them in, with a bit of complex magic and ingenuity. But I think they're going to work" He handed her a rucksack filled with empty vials, each with a small button on the neck.
Piper asked the question she had been wanting to since he had appeared in the Temple of Fear a few minutes before. "And who exactly is your dad?"
A frown overtook his features, but then he plastered a fake-looking smile on his face and said, "Hephaestus." He spun on his heel, and his form enlarged, abruptly turning into a golden dragon. "Hop on."
-X-
Perseus came to a stop just outside the city gates, in time to see the giant man striding towards them. The fire breathing giant wore nothing but a loincloth, which Perseus would use to his advantage.
If his memories were correct, Heracles had informed him of the giant previously and Perseus had seen it on the battlefield during the giant war. But how exactly had Cacus returned to the mortal world? How had he reformed so quickly? Perseus pushed all his questions aside and ran forward, hoping to intercept the giant before it got close enough to the city.
As he ran, he melted into mist and then reappeared in the sky. Perseus fell, raising his sword arm as he did and stabbing downward into Cacus' shoulder as he landed. The giant roared and gusts of fire swept out from his mouth. Perseus swore as a giant hand reached out for him and melted into mist once again.
He reappeared at the giant's throat and drove his sword into it, melting away again just as golden blood and sand began pouring out.
Perseus knew he wouldn't be able to kill the giant—not without help from the gods, and he doubted that any of them would be ready to jump to his aid—they were too lazy, not wanting to have their beauty sleep disturbed and lounging on their thrones doing nothing. He reappeared on the giant's foot then slashed at his ankle, darting away before he could be kicked.
Cacus belched fire in frustration. "Who dares to attack me?!" His voice was scratchy and hoarse, and Perseus smiled at the result of his work. The giant was looking around, making movements to try to find his assailant.
Perseus had fought his kind before. They had an advantage in size and could rip you to shreds with a little pressure but they were slow and he'd always used that to his advantage. He would have to inflict the giant with so many injuries that he would be exerting most of his power to heal himself.
By then the city would be evacuated and Perseus would be able to really fight this thing.
He melted into salty mist once again, reappearing on the giant's right forearm. Perseus dug Anaklusmos into his hand, then jumped down, letting his sword draw a cut through Cacus' arm.
Then he disappeared, reappearing on his chest, right above where he knew the heart to be. Perseus stabbed downwards with a roar and he disappeared just as a hand reached forward to swipe at him. Caucus belched fire once more and growled in annoyance.
"I shall squeeze you to death, puny mortal. And then I will tear you apart, limb by limb and use your flesh to decorate my hair!" Perseus snorted as he reappeared on the giant's knee. He doubted his flesh would go well with the giant's ginger mane he called hair.
Perseus slashed at the knee, making Cacus roar and then reappeared behind it, digging his sword into the back of Cacus' knee. The giant buckled and Perseus jumped off. He kept disappearing and reappearing at various parts of the giant's body, slashing and hacking and stabbing at him. He doubted he did much damage though, because he knew his sword was like a toothpick to the son of Gaea.
Perseus reappeared on the giant's hand and raised his sword to attack. He yelped when he felt giant fingers wrap around his body and grab him. Perseus dropped his sword in shock, then gritted his teeth to keep a yell in as Cacus squeezed.
He felt as though his internal organs were being forced out of his body and he was sure he would burst soon.
Perseus saw Cacus lean towards him, his fiery red eyes glowing as he sniffed at him. "Ah, a demigod," The giant cackled. His breath was so hot Perseus began to sweat. "I haven't had one of your kind in centuries!" Perseus resisted the urge to shout that Cacus and his brothers had eatenmost of his kind.
The giant's lips pulled downwards in a sneer and Perseus was sure he was about to roast him and eat him. His body acted in a panic and he bit down on the giant's hand. Caucus yelped and hurled Perseus away from him, making the son of Poseidon tumble onto the ground and roll on the road.
Caucus growled out and marched towards Perseus. He raised his foot and Perseus groaned, feeling pain rack his body. He clenched his jaw and raised his head high. A chance to die had come at last. His life would end in combat and he would meet his family and friends.
He didn't care that he was leaving behind the world in disarray. The Olympians could take care of themselves.
Cacus' foot came down and Perseus prepared himself for the darkness.
It never came. The giant's yell made the entire city and valley shake. Perseus' eyelids peeled back in annoyance and then he frowned when he spotted Athena. She had appeared in front of him, shielding him from the giant. Perseus took note of the giant spear embedded inside Cacus' foot.
"Get up," Athena ordered. "Fetch your sword."
Perseus swore under his breath. Seriously. Was a simple visit to Hades too much to ask for? Still muttering, he raced to grab Anaklusmos which was only a few feet behind him. Cacus hopped on one foot, causing the valley to rumble and shake. Perseus could still hear the screams from the city. He looked up, squinting in confusion when he spotted the golden dragon swooping through the sky amidst tornadoes of fire and mist.
Shaking his head, he turned to Athena, who had retrieved her spear. "Hit him, now," She said commandingly, "While he is still in pain and at his weakest."
Perseus obeyed without complaint, lobbing his sword forward just as Athena hurled her spear. Both weapons sailed through the giant's chest and with a scream, Cacus burst into fire, burning and melting into ash.
Perseus turned to the goddess, to yell at her, but then scowled when he realised she was gone. He ran for his sword, still frowning and raced back towards the city. He had to help Piper and the imp-man Leo. Although one of them was probably dead already.
-X-
A few minutes earlier….
Piper had never ridden a dragon before. It was a weird thing to experience, but her heart was thumping in her chest, more out of excitement than fear and the rush of the wind blowing her cloak and hair back made her feel unstoppable.
Leo the Big Gold Dragon swooped through the sky, giant wings beating as he chased after the four spirits of war. Piper clutched the four vials close to her chest with one hand and held onto one of Leo's scales with the other.
She had seen plenty of weird since the white haired man had stolen her mother, but this—this took the cake. Piper clutched on tighter to Leo as they gained distance on the Makhai.
"Open the vial, then press the button on my neck!" Leo's voice came from the dragon's open lips. Piper jerked in surprise. She hadn't expected him to be able to talk in his new form. Fumbling, she reached for the first of the vials and uncorked it hurriedly as Leo flew around the first of the spirits. The air which was produced from his beating wings seemed to prevent the spirit from moving anywhere—Leo was creating a tornado around the tornado.
Piper pressed the button and then lurched forward at the rush of wind which seemed to be pulled into it at once. She felt her foot slip from Leo's body, and then she was falling, one arm outstretched as a whirlwind from the vial began to suck in the Makhai.
Piper felt her cloak billowing around her and keeping her up in the sky. But she didn't want to think about that. Not now. She pushed all thoughts of the floating cloak out of her mind and focused on containing the fiery war spirit. After a few seconds, the last of the misty thing entered the vial and Piper hurriedly corked it, then stuffed it into the bag.
"You can fly?" Leo's surprised voice came from behind her. Instantly the cloak went limp and Piper was falling again. A scream tore out of her throat as she lost altitude and then suddenly, beneath her was solid again. She let out a sigh of relief when she felt the familiar scales of Leo's back once.
"Not anymore, apparently!" She shouted back in answer, voice shaky.
With a snort, Leo flew after the last three Makhai, Piper clutching on for dear life.
XMX
They defeated two out of the three war spirits easily. Now the earth was rippling and rocks were tumbling down, and Piper could hear yells and grunts coming from the gigantic fiery headed man in the distance, who seemed to be trying to slap away a mosquito.
Shaking her head, she turned back to the last of the Makhai, which was almost at the city wall. If it left, that was it. The fire-breather would ignore Perseus and head into the city. Piper steeled her nerves, gritting her teeth as Leo flew on. She uncorked the last empty vial and got ready to press the button.
When they got closer to the last war spirit, Piper stretched out her arm and pointed the vial at it. Just as she pressed the button, a loud screech filled the air. The Makhai swooped down towards them and Piper heard Leo roar in warning. The whirlwind was already sucking in the war spirit, but it seemed to be trying to resist. Piper clutched onto her new weapon and slashed when the Makhai got too close. It let out that inhumane screech one more and sailed through her body.
Piper let out a gasp as she felt cold fill her. Her blood and veins seemed to freeze, everything around her seemed to stop and she could hear her heart beating, louder than ever. She gasped louder, the vial slipping from her hand just as the Makhai sailed out of her body.
The last thing she saw was Perseus appearing right below them and grabbing the glass bottle. He said something which Piper didn't catch and the whirlwind became stronger, pulling in the last war spirit.
Then everything went black.
-X-
Leo sat next to Piper's body, watching for any sign of movement from her. He frowned, studying her as her chest moved up and down to take in air. He glanced towards the big pile of ashes which lay a few feet away from them.
His thoughts drifted to the dream he had had several weeks before. It had been the first time he had interacted with his father and their meeting still made him feel a rush of anger, every time he thought about it.
Hephaestus wanted him to leave his life behind—to accompany two strangers around Greece, and for what reason? He didn't say. Because he did not know. He had told Leo that the ancient Guardian of Greece would be passing through Sparta. He had given him the vials and had informed him that the Makhai would be released when the girl accompanying the Guardian touched Ares' statue.
Leo wanted to attack his father, for abandoning him and his mother all those years ago, and now suddenly reappearing in his life and sending him to gods know where. He was being treated like a disposable object, which could be called any time to do anything without asking questions.
Leo was okay with his quiet life as a palace guard. He was pretty close with the prince and sure, it worried him that his friend had disappeared, but his brother was in Sparta. Beck and Silena would be getting married soon and if Leo went with these two, he would miss it.
He could even die.
But his urge to please his father and to prove himself to everyone he knew seemed to take over him. Leo wanted to show that he was worth something. He wanted to do something to make it known that he wasn't just a simple mortal—that he wasn't just a waste of space.
He wanted to live up to his father's legacy and he needed to go on this journey for it to happen.
Oh, gods, a voice rang through his head, making him wince. Can you shut up? Please.
Leo rolled his eyes. Had he mentioned the unwanted houseguest in his mind? No? Apparently when he'd been born he had almost died and his goddamned father had placed a stupid dragon spirit inside him as his life force.
Now he could turn into a golden dragon, yes, but he also had the annoyingly high and whiny voice of the spirit in his head 24/7, which wanted him to call it Festus.
Go to Hades, Leo thought back. His passenger melted into the back of his mind and Leo looked up just in time to see the black-clad man, Perseus, his name was, making his way to them.
"I've restored the Makhai," He said, nodding. "And I also got knowledge that your Prince was on his way to Thebes. And he never returned."
His gaze travelled to the unconscious form of Piper, next to Leo under the tree. "She alright?"
Leo shrugged. He was still studying the man. He had a swimmer's build, with raven black unruly hair and green eyes which looked so…tired. Leo tilted his head as Perseus exhaled. He knew what was coming.
"Alright, it's time to answer some questions." Leo nodded tersely, waiting.
"How the Hades can you turn into a dragon?" A smile cracked on his lips and he was aware of Festus jabbering away in his head but then he shook it and the dragon vanished.
Leo explained what had happened and how Festus had been placed inside him when he had been born. It was a story his mother had told him often before she died. She had been trying to tell him, trying to let him know, that his father cared and loved him.
He blinked back tears as he remembered his mother and her brilliant smile. If he hadn't started that fire—if he had been able to control his powers—she wouldn't have died.
Perseus nodded, as if the story didn't surprise him. He continued, "And how did you know we were there? How did you know we would release the Makhai?" His eyes moved back to Piper and the weapon which lay at her side. "And how did you get that?"
Leo let out a breath. "My father, Hephaestus, visited me a few weeks ago. He told me what was going on. He told me you'd be passing through here and to help you and then leave Sparta with you." As he said it, he was aware of the frown present on Perseus' face. Clearly, he didn't like the thought of another person joining him.
"He also gave me those vials and told me how to defeat the Makhai." Leo paused. "As for the knife, it belonged to my half-brother—Charles, but everyone just calls him Beck." He shrugged. He hadn't seen Beckendorf since that morning and he was worried that his brother hadn't made it out of the city when the earthquake started.
Sighing, he went on. "It was crafted by Hephaestus. He handed it to Helen and before she died she gave it to her handmaiden. When the woman died, her son took possession of it, and he's passed it down to the eldest male child in the family ever since."
"And you're just going to break that tradition and give it to Piper?" Perseus seemed dubious. Leo laughed at his expression.
"She needed a weapon. I reckon she's going to want to keep it, seeing as she doesn't have one yet."
Perseus nodded, then stuck out a hand. Leo reached out and grasped it as Perseus said, "I'm not happy with another person joining my quest. I hate that you might have to die just because the gods commanded you to come with me." He paused. "But neither of us have a choice in the matter. Welcome to the team, Leo."
Leo shook his hand and tried not to let Perseus' words worry him too much.
-X-
When Piper came to, she looked around her, clutching her head and groaning.
"Ugh," She let out. Her head was pounding and she felt as though she had just climbed a mountain while being spun around every step of the way.
"Hey," Perseus' voice was oddly soft and she felt his arm on her shoulder once more. It was night time and she could see the dying embers of a fire in front of her. "You're awake."
Piper sat up. "Yes, I noticed." She winced as pain shot up her spine.
"Fine evening, isn't it, Beauty Queen?" Leo's voice reached her ears, making her blink. She squinted to see if she wasn't dreaming, but it was him, seated on a log next to the flames.
"You came with us?" Piper asked, surprised.
"'Course I did," He grinned at her. "Had to make sure you weren't dead, didn't I?" He held out a bowl to her. "Stew?"
Piper groaned again. She wasn't even going to question his presence. "Where are we?"
Perseus removed his arm from her shoulder. He sat back on a log, his eyebrows furrowed as he studied her. "A forest, somewhere around Sparta." Piper reached out and grabbed the bowl of stew Leo had set out for her.
"That's nice," She looked around for a spoon, but then rebuked herself. This wasn't the place for her princess-y acts. She put the bowl to her lips. Piper heard a sigh come from Perseus. Her grogginess was disappearing. She suddenly felt energised and strong and like she could run a mile. Also,
"I want to punch something," She announced, stating how she was feeling. Leo snorted. Perseus' lips pulled back in a small smile.
"You've just had a war spirit pass through you," He explained. "That's understandable."
Piper placed down the bowl at her side. "So where to next?"
"Thebes," Leo answered. "Isn't that right?" He turned to Perseus.
"Yeah," The son of Poseidon scratched his head. He seemed hesitant about something, anxiety and worry flashing in his eyes for a few moments. He seemed to be having an internal debate, but finally he said, "Look, you all need to know something if you're coming with me."
Piper arched an eyebrow, exchanging a glance with Leo. "Finding the missing royals is just one part of the equation." He glanced towards the sky, frowning, as though seeking something. Lightning suddenly flashed and he nodded as if that was the permission he needed.
"Centuries ago, after the giant war, when I defeated Mother Gaea—" Piper blanched. Leo choked on some stew. Perseus forged on. "After she was defeated, the Olympians decided to place most of their power inside a single Precious stone and keep it in the Grove of Dodona—a bit stupid if you ask me." Lightning flashed once more and Piper couldn't help but feel that it seemed a bit…angry.
He paused. "Well, just a few weeks ago, that stone went missing, on the same night your mother was captured, and the crown of Mycenae was stolen." Piper pursed her lips. "Over the next few weeks, several members of the royal families from the city-states of Greece went missing. The Olympians believe that an enemy is targeting them all, and I've been given the job to find that stone, find your father's crown and the missing royals."
Leo looked sombre. Perseus was still frowning. "I think the first step to locating the crown is finding the royals. When we find the royals, we find the crown. When we find the crown, we find those who took it. And then we find the Sacred Stone of Olympus. I believe that a higher power is at play and when I visited the Grove of Dodona, I was given the opportunity to hear the Third Great Prophecy."
He took in a breath, then started reciting,
"The Old Ones Stir once again,
To Destroy Olympus, their possessions to reclaim.
The protectors of Greece, again shall rise,
And retrieve the stolen, from a web of lies.
To journey far and wide, into the dark,
And diminish the old flame to a single spark.
The Immortal Elixir, stolen from its place,
Craved and found only if he stays.
The Keys of Death shall lead the way,
Gates of Old, unlock on the Darkest Day.
The Last Half-Bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire, the Destroyer must fall.
An Oath to Keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms at the Gates of Death."
The morbid atmosphere coupled with the silence which settled over them after he was done, was stifling.
"I just want you to understand," Perseus said tensely. "That the fate of the world is in our hands." He paused. "If we don't succeed, everyone and life as you know it ends."
He reached down and picked a bowl. "Anyway, who wants more stew?"
A/N: So, I know my chapters are a bit short in this story—always between 3k and 5k. Also, I know Cacus is a son of Vulcan but this is my fan fiction, so take it or leave it. I'll try to make the chapters longer but I hope you enjoy nonetheless. Next chapter should be longer. Vote, Leave a comment, review or kudos if you liked it. Thanks for reading!